79 iPhones are stolen in London every bloody day!

Mobile phones are among the most popular items for “modern thieves.” In fact, almost 10,000 units were stolen in London, UK last month, according to figures released by the Metropolitan Police as they start an ad campaign to warn phone users of the risks.

Needless to say, Apple’s iPhone is the single most “popular” device, accounting for about a half of all thefts. That’s an average of 79 iPhones per day; compared to 157 of all types of phones that are stolen per day.

The advertising Metropolitan Police is running highlights the importance of taking steps to protect phones, tablet devices, jewelry, cash and other valuables. These ads are timed to coincide with the start of the year when there is historically a rise in figures as children return to school and employees to workplaces.

According to their analysis, victims of robbery are more likely to be male, whereas females are more prone to theft. The most common profile for all victims however is a young professional likely to be aged between 20 and 30, out and about in the capital at an entertainment spot or other public places.

There is one factor to take into account, though – how many phones are reported as stolen, when actually just lost, or damaged in order to make an insurance claim. The insurance industry is clamping down on that form of crime as well…